Turkmenistan: death rate in capital tripled during COVID-19
ACCA journalists conducted another investigation into the death rate from COVID-19 in Ashgabat. “Based on satellite images, we were able to calculate that approximately 1800 people died in Ashgabat from January 1 to December 31, 2019; 635 people died from January to April 2020, and 4370 people died from May 8 to October 30 inclusive.
This data is clearly visible on satellite images. We also asked our informants to go to Choganly cemetery and count the graves. The cemetery is divided into Christian and Muslim sectors; on the Christian part, our informants counted only 270 new graves that have appeared since May of this year. In the Muslim part of the cemetery, burials are in two directions at once. In the first direction, our informants counted 788 new graves, and in the second and largest burial place, our informants counted 3312 new graves that have appeared since May of this year.
An official close to the Ministry of Health of Turkmenistan commented on the mortality situation for ACCA on condition of anonymity.
– Please tell me why the mortality rate in Ashgabat has increased almost 3 times, and in the regions of the country – 5 times?
– The first and most significant reason is that the regions do not receive absolutely any assistance. Moreover, at the beginning of the epidemic, all antiviral drugs and artificial pulmonary ventilators were seized from all pharmacies in the regions and transported to Ashgabat. Regional doctors were also sent to Ashgabat.
The second reason is that all humanitarian aid remains in Ashgabat. The regions are left to the mercy of fate and are forced to solve problems themselves without the help from the capital.
– Can you name the exact number of people infected in the capital?
– No, statistics were banned. We don’t have enough express tests. At the moment, only Ashgabat needs about 3 million tests, and we have no more than 200 thousand, not to mention the regions. I can tell you one thing – mortality is increasing again and will continue until next spring; with such a level of “medicine” and government relations, next spring we will get very sad results. Many residents of the capital prefer not to go to hospitals and are treated at home paying doctors for procedures.
– Do you know how much such treatment costs?
– Everyone pays individually. The minimum cost is from $ 200. They use drugs that they can find in pharmacies or by pulling strings.
– An ACCA source, close to the Regional health department of Balkan region, estimated the number of deaths from Covid-19 at 7000 over the country. What is your opinion? How many people have died from the virus?
– No one will be able to give you exact numbers. Statistics were banned at the very top. I can only add that this is probably the lowest estimate.
– Turkmenistan has canceled all flights until January 1. There are strict restrictions on movement inside the country. Is this connected with the epidemiological situation in the country?
– Yes, this is due precisely to the epidemiological situation. The authorities of Turkmenistan deny the presence of the virus in the country. For this reason, they cannot and don’t want to let the residents out of the country. The authorities are powerless against the virus. Imagine the situation when a Turkmen went abroad, and he was found to have Covid-19 and was rushed to a hospital. The authorities will not allow such a situation. At one of the meetings, it was said: “Let them die at home and not dishonor the President”.
We remind our readers that the government of the country denies the presence of the virus in the country and at the same time introduces the most severe restrictions on movement in the country, the country’s media doesn’t cover the situation in the country related to COVID-19 at all.
